Legislative Election Recounts

Librarians add information
to the records of legislators with election recounts as we learn of them. For background on the
circumstances triggering a recount, see the House of Representatives Research Department report,
Recounts: Federal, State, and Judicial Offices. This list is not complete.
Please report any additions or errors to the library staff

His margin of victory over Donzel Leggett was 117 votes. Leggett requested a discretionary recount for which Leggett would pay. Leggett withdrew the recount after three precincts were counted for this discretionary recount, as permitted by law, so the totals reverted back to the prior totals.

Her margin of victory over Bob Cunniff was only one vote so an automatic recount occurred. Her lead increased by 11 votes after 35 ballots were randomly discarded as a result of a judge's order due to errors in three precincts. After the recount she was declared the winner by 12 votes.

Her margin of victory over Alison Krueger was only 85 votes so an automatic recount occurred. After the recount she was declared the winner by 85 votes. She won the special election called after Betsy Wergin resigned. She was sworn in on December 5, 2008.

His margin of victory over Grace Schwab was so close an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 5 - 7 votes. A court case was filed over the status of ballots that had been burned.

His margin of victory over Nora Slawik was only 275 votes. A recount occurred by Nora Slawik's request. Since it wasn't an automatic recount, she was responsible for paying for it. After the recount he was declared the winner by 298 votes.

Her margin of victory over Douglas W. Carlson was less than 200 votes so an automatic recount should have occurred. However, Douglas W. Carlson waived his right to the recount and she was declared the winner.

Initially his opponent, Carl Stich, was declared the winner by 6 votes. After an automatic recount was held, Bernard P. Omann, Jr. was determined to be the winner by 48 votes. He won his father's, Ben P. Omann, seat in the special election called after his father died in November 1986.

His margin of victory over Terry Eckstein was approximately 109 votes. Terry Eckstein filed a lawsuit seeking a recount. After the recount John R. Corbid was declared the winner by approximately 119 votes.

His margin of victory over George Evans was only 160 votes. George Evans filed a lawsuit alleging there were errors in the counting of ballots. It's unclear what happened to the lawsuit but James C. Swanson served the entire term.

His margin of victory over Keith Langseth was only 15 votes so an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 11 votes. A recount of the recount occured with the same results.

Ronald G. Evans' margin of victory over David R. Cummiskey was only 74 votes so an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 83 votes. David R. Cummiskey declined to file charges over alleged unfair campaign practices related to a misleading letter on his legislative record, mass-mailed during the campaign.

W.R. "Bill" Glaeser's margin of victory over James "Jim" Frank Lord was approximately 100 votes so a recount occurred. After the recount James "Jim" Frank Lord was declared the winner by 48 votes. Allegations of voter fraud were cited in the aftermath of the recount.

His margin of victory over Robert V. Holmen (Listed as Holmes in the Secretary of State's 1972 election results published in the Minnesota Legislative Manual, 1973-74. All other sources list Holmen.) was only 20 votes so a recount occurred. Legal papers notifying Miller of the recount lawsuit were given to his 13 year old daughter, he challenged this as being improper. The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that it was sufficient in this situation. After the recount he was declared the winner by approximately 43 votes.

His margin of victory over Eugene "Gene" Smith was only 162 votes so a recount occurred. Eugene "Gene" Smith stopped the recount before it was finished since he determined it wouldn't change the outcome.

His margin of victory over John M. Fitzgerald was only 14 votes so a recount occurred. After the recount the trial court ruled that Fitzgerald had won by 12 votes. Morlock filed an appeal with the Minnesota Supreme Court. After reviewing the contested ballots, Morlock was declared the winner by 10 votes.

He won the seat held by Rep. John McNulty before his death on February 10, 1947. He was sworn in on March 19, 1947. His margin of victory over Len Biernat was only 49 votes so Biernat requested a recount. After the recount Tomczyk was declared the winner.

Homer M. Carr's margin of victory over Dwight A. Swanstrom in the 1942 election was only 37 votes, so a recount occurred. After the recount, Homer M. Carr was determined to have won the election by 46 votes.

The original canvassing board's report credited Henry B. Rutledge with a margin of 123 votes. Mr. Rutledge presented an election certificate and was sworn in as a legislator. Meanwhile, Mr. Youngdahl contested the election and requested a recount. Soon afterward, House members learned that the district court of Minneapolis had ruled that Emil S. Youngdahl defeated Mr. Rutledge by 28 votes. Mr. Youngdahl made a formal demand for the seat and presented his certificate of election. A special committee was established to investigate. The House did not declare the seat vacant but passed a motion that until the contest is settled Mr. Rutledge was not permitted to participate. Emil Youngdahl was finally seated on January 21, 1927.

In the 1918 election, W.W. Wilcox's margin of victory over George Henry Sullivan was 43 votes. A recount occurred and W.W. Wilcox was found to have won by 35 votes. Wilcox was also charged with violations of the fair campaign practices act. After much debate, on January 31, 1919 the Senators declared the seat vacant. A special election was held, which Sullivan won.

Erling Swenson was originally listed as the winner of the 1918 election by 66 votes. Henry W. Lauderdale contested the election results and a recount occurred. The recount showed that Lauderdale had won by 40 votes. Swenson then contested the election related to charges that Lauderdale had violated the Corrupt Practices Act including charges of paying for votes. After examining the evidence, the House ruled that Lauderdale was entitled to the seat.

Erling Swenson was originally listed as the winner of the 1918 election by 66 votes. Henry W. Lauderdale contested the election results and a recount occurred. The recount showed that Lauderdale had won by 40 votes. Swenson then contested the election related to charges that Lauderdale had violated the Corrupt Practices Act including charges of paying for votes. After examining the evidence, the House ruled that Lauderdale was entitled to the seat.

His margin of victory over George Henry Sullivan was 43 votes. A recount occurred and W.W. Wilcox was found to have won by 35 votes. Wilcox was also charged with violations of the fair campaign practices act. After much debate, on January 31, 1919 the Senators declared the seat vacant. A new election was held, which Sullivan won.

Jorgen Jensen's margin of victory over S.C. Bowman was 117 votes. He was sworn in and served. S.C. Bowman contested the seat due to his name being listed on some ballots as S. Bowman rather than S.C. Bowman. The S. Bowman votes had not been added to his total. After a recount that included these votes, Bowman was declared the winner by 52 votes.

Jorgen Jensen's margin of victory over S.C. Bowman was 117 votes. He was sworn in and served. S.C. Bowman contested the seat due to his name being listed on some ballots as S. Bowman rather than S.C. Bowman. The S. Bowman votes had not been added to his total. After a recount that included these votes, Bowman was declared the winner by 52 votes.

Mathias Gross was sworn in and and served until the Minnesota House of Representatives determined, after a recount, that Samuel Prather Snider received 12 votes more than Gross did and was entitled to the seat. The House Committtee on Elections' recount showed that Samuel Prather Snider received 4,694 votes, H.G. Merrill received 4,688, and Mathias Gross received 4,682.

Mathias Gross was sworn in and and served until the Minnesota House of Representatives determined, after a recount, that Samuel Prather Snider received 12 votes more than Gross did and was entitled to the seat. The House Committtee on Elections' recount showed that Samuel Prather Snider received 4,694 votes, H.G. Merrill received 4,688, and Mathias Gross received 4,682.

Jefferson P. Kidder won the election by only 2 votes. His election was contested by Andrew Nessell. After a recount the majority determined that a clerical error had been made and Andrew Nessell actually won by 1 vote and was entitled to the seat.

Jefferson P. Kidder won the election by only 2 votes. His election was contested by Andrew Nessell. After a recount the majority determined that a clerical error had been made and Andrew Nessell actually won by 1 vote and was entitled to the seat.

His 1849 election was contested by Harley D. White. Wells won the election with a 33 to 29 vote total. However, White claimed six of Wells' votes were cast by people who weren't legal residents of the Territory. The House members ended up with a tie vote on the resolution to deny Wells the seat; so he retained it.